Ben Spies hoping 'issues' end at Brno

Ben Spies' nightmare season continued at Indianapolis last Sunday when he suffered a massive engine failure while running in second place.

It marked the second mechanical DNF in as many starts, after his swing-arm collapsed in the previous Laguna Seca outing.

Add in a damaged bike at Qatar, visor problems at Le Mans, tyre chunking at Assen, food positioning at Mugello and a fall while trying to take the lead in Catalunya and Spies has been left wondering when he'll finally get a weekend without 'issues'.

“Unfortunately the two US races were a disaster for me and completely out of my control,” said Spies. “I'm looking forward to getting straight back on the bike here at one of my favourite tracks to see if we can finally have a good weekend with no issues.”

Spies has seven more chances to break his 2012 podium drought, and move up from tenth in the championship, before leaving Yamaha.

“We know Ben has the talent and pace to perform well so we hope the bad luck is now behind us and we can deliver to our potential here [at Brno],” said team manager Massimo Meregalli.

“This track really suits the Yamaha so I am confident both Ben and Jorge will do well this weekend.”

Spies took a World Superbike victory at Brno in 2009 and his finished fourth and fifth in his previous MotoGP appearances.

Free practice for the Czech Republic Grand Prix takes place on Friday.